Newsweek Sinks its Teeth into Troopergate.

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Count among the few things that have cheered me recently, this excellent article in Newsweek on the Troopergate scandal. Despite the fact that I have been following every aspect of this sordid tale available in the Anchorage media, there were a couple things I didn’t know.

Court documents show that Judge Suddock was disturbed by the alleged attacks by Palin and her family members on Wooten’s behavior and character. “Disparaging will not be tolerated—it is a form of child abuse,” the judge told a settlement hearing in October 2005, according to typed notes of the proceedings. The judge added: “Relatives cannot disparage either. If occurs [sic] the parent needs to set boundaries for their relatives.”

and later in the article

As the divorce case dragged on, the judge’s concern about family “disparagement” appeared to deepen. In an order signed Jan. 31, 2006, which granted Palin’s sister and Wooten a final divorce decree, Judge Suddock continued to express concern about attacks by Palin’s family on Wooten. The judge even threatened to curb Palin’s sister’s child custody rights if family criticism of Wooten continued.

In monitoring how a joint-custody arrangement worked out, the judge said in his order that he would pay particular attention to problems noted by a “custody investigator,” specifically “the disparagement of the father [Wooten] by the mother [Molly Hackett, Sarah Palin’s sister] and her family members.”

“It is the mother’s [Hackett’s] responsibility to set boundaries for her relatives and insure [sic] they respect them, and the disparagement by either parent, or their surrogates is emotional child abuse,” Judge Suddock wrote. He added that: “If the court finds it is necessary due to disparagement in the Mat-Su Valley [the area north of Anchorage where Palin and her extended family live], for the children’s best interests, it [the court] will not hesitate to order custody to the father and a move into Anchorage.”

Judges and custody investigators don’t threaten things like that lightly.

It’s fascinating as stories begin to emerge from the national media. Alaskans are gasping a bit. They’re not used to the national attention, and they’re not used to what it sounds like to get an objective opinion. As an Anchorage resident, I can tell you it’s hard to be objective in a town with only 94,000 households. Everyone knows everyone, or knows someone who knows them.

There were a couple things, though, that the story didn’t say. One has to do with the infamous tasering incident in which Trooper Wooten is accused of ‘tasering his 11-year old son’. When you hear about someone tasering an 11-year old, or even ‘allegedly’ tasering an 11-year old, it’s pretty hard to give them the benefit of the doubt. That’s why I was glad that the head of the Public Safety Employees Association, John Cyr, was interviewed two days ago on KUDO radio, and explained the seemingly unforgivable tasering event.

First, the incident happened when the boy asked to see what it felt like, and prove to his friends that he wasn’t a “Mama’s Boy”. Wooten agreed to do it. According to Cyr, Wooten was a taser instructor, and used a training cartridge on the lightest setting and used alligator clips on the boys shirt, rather than the usual skin contacts. The burst was less than one second. Wooten’s wife was in the room at the time, and the entire family knew of the incident. It became an issue ONLY when divorce papers were filed. Wooten acknowledged bad judgment and was disciplined.

Another accusation that gets mentioned frequently is that Wooten was drinking beer in his squad car. This charge was investigated by an independent investigator who found the charge to be “unsustained”. However, Colonel Julia Grimes, who reviewed the investigation, decided to change the finding of the report to “sustained”. She changed the report on her own and gave no reason. When John Cyr, who, in 30 years, had never seen a member of the command staff change the report asked her why she did it. She replied, “Are you willing to call Sarah Palin a liar?” He said, “yes”. She didn’t respond, and the report stayed changed.

It’s interesting to note that Grimes had received a two page typed email from Palin in 2005, calling Wooten a ‘loose canon’ and a ‘ticking timebomb’, discussing his marital infidelity and a host of accusations which have since been investigated. All allegations were settled in 2006 after a thorough investigation. The investigation resulted in a misdemeanor game violation, and improper use of state equipment. No charges or complaints have ever been filed against Wooten by any member of the public, other than the Palin family and friends, according to Cyr.

134 responses

The feeling is familiar. I had it four years ago and four years before that: a sinking feeling in the stomach. It’s a kind of physical pessimism which says: “It’s happening again. The Democrats are about to lose an election they should win – and it could not matter more.”

In my head, I’m not as anxious for Barack Obama’s chances as I was for John Kerry’s in 2004 or Al Gore’s in 2000. He is a better candidate than both put together, and all the empirical evidence says this year favours Democrats more than any since 1976. But still, I can’t shake off the gloom.

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Lisa(09:16:39) :

Ugh, worse and worse.

Also, if you have friends who are Eisenhower-type conservatives (conservative on national security and fiscal policy, liberal on social issues) have them go and read conservative Andrew Sullivan’s blogs on “Putin’s America” and “McCain’s Integrity”. He summarizes what is truly at stake in this election — saving the U.S. as a democracy.http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/

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Laughing No Longer...(09:16:59) :

its too bad that newsweek didn’t listen to cc on the radio the other night, but at least they’re going deeper than fluff.

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JohnW(09:21:29) :

I do understand that feeling/fear. What I’m hoping is that they are letting McCain and Palin have all the rope they need to effectively hang themselves. Seeing the MSM start to swing around on their coverages is encouraging. If only it continues.

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Julie Arizona(09:24:32) :

I read on some blog (I’ve been reading too many to remember) that Palin’s sister had been married numerous times and had some problems. Anybody know anything about that?

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Nebraska Native(09:27:06) :

I am directed to sign into WordPress to read the Grimes memo. Is it just me? Have I said yet today that this blog is absolutely riveting and I am so thankful I found it????

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Hicow, Maine(09:28:33) :

The New Yorker in The Talk of the Town section, has an article by Ryan Lizza that mentions Mudflats, the letter by Anne Kilkenny and also a discussion with Lyda Green, Republican predisnet of the Alaska state senate. She says she’s not prepared to be governor, much less VP. She goes over some of their history.

A couple of days ago (Hardball, I think, could have been CNN,) people were saying that the public was going to give Palin a pass in Troopergate because after they read about Wooten their opinion would be “well of course she pursued this, this man was a threat to her family.” Let’s hope they rethink that. I’m curious about whether the judge would act even now – because it’s clear the family has raised the disparagement to a new level

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sauer kraut(09:29:27) :

That link to Palin’s email to Julia Grimes goes to the WordPress sign in page; it then gives a “you are not authorized to edit this entry” page.

Having read this blog for several days, and the comments that come with every entry, I’ve noticed something. When commenters post really good stuff, it appears that mudflats follows up on it and then posts about it. Example: the newsweek story and the 49-flag picture. Perhaps it’s just coincidence, but there ya have it. I can only hope the media is reading this blog and following up on the good stuff.

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Lisa(09:29:30) :

Here’s Andrew Sullivan’s PUTIN’S AMERICA blog comment:

“The creepy, unprecedented, bizarre media shut-down continues:

…an aide told the journalists on board that all Palin flights would be off the record unless the media were told otherwise. At least one reporter objected. Two people on the flight said the Palins greeted the media and they chatted about who had been to Alaska, but little else was said.

If you want to know what it’s like to live in Putin’s Russia, the Republican party is giving you a good taste. This is the most appalling dereliction of duty by the press that I have ever seen in my adult life. If they had any integrity, they would stop covering her at all under these conditions. We’re now well into the second week in which someone who could be president of the United States next January has not been available to the press.

I’m simply staggered at how supine the press has become. They are being deferent and giving the benefit of the doubt to the people who told us there were WMDs in Iraq. Imagine that. ”

julie Arizona – Wooten has been married 4 times. Is this what you’re thinking of?

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judi(09:30:21) :

can’t get to the Grimes memo!

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sauer kraut(09:31:14) :

Julie – let’s leave Palin’s sister out of this. Let’s not create more Billy Beer. Siblings are not the candidate.

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lemonfair(09:31:52) :

sauer kraut –

Halperin linked to this site on The Page (his headline page at Time.com) so I’m sure there are lots of media reading it.

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sauer kraut(09:33:28) :

Lisa – if I had the cajones or knowledge, I’d photoshop Mao, Stalin and a couple others into the background of a McPalin rally. Let the people see how it’s really going to be. What they are doing is borderline censorship. Only Don Rumsfeld would be proud.

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ocliberal(09:33:47) :

What I think is interesting is how Wooten himself won’t disparage Sarah Palin. I think he really believes if he says anything negative he could lose his kids.

One thig that is becoming clearer and clearer and clearer to me is that this is woman who has a lot of people afraid to say anything negative about her.

Sister Sarah not only giveth to those who help her and taketh from those who cross her, she is mean-sprirted, vindictive and holds a grudge a whole lot longer than she should.

I think we should all review Anne Kilkenny’s letter again and her very revealing peek into Sarah Palin that it appears most Alaskans are afraid to reveal.

“She has bitten the hand of every person who extended theirs to her in help. The City Council person who personally escorted her around town introducing her to voters when she first ran for Wasilla City Council became one of her first targets when she was later elected Mayor. She abruptly fired her loyal City Administrator; even people who didn’t like the guy were stunned by this ruthlessness.”

I imagine it’s very difficult for Queen Sarah to have to be relegated to a position of submission. I imagine she is building her resentment list against McCain already and I’m sure revenge is on her mind.

To quote Anne Kilkenny again.

She’s not very tolerant of divergent opinions or open to outside ideas or compromise. As Mayor, she fought ideas that weren’t generated by her or her staff. Ideas weren’t evaluated on their merits, but on the basis of who proposed them.

A power-hungry, control-freak who is paranoid and doesn’t trust anyone but her cronies who she rules with fear of reprecussians.

Most conservatives hate liberals more than they love the truth. They are not going to vote with a liberal not matter what the Reps run and Rove’s people know it. It’s a numbers game, and I’m so grateful to this blog for at least getting the information out there about her for those that want to be informed .Thank you for letting people like myself see a less shiny side of this woman too. I got an email today, Obama being mocked as a black with a huge afro. Just the kind of thing that yucks them up while they claim with a straight face they’d vote for a black. Waste of time getting through to these people. I’m genuinely sorry to say it but McCain is disgusting and should be ashamed of himself letting these people pull his strings. If he really believes he’ll break free of this kind of human garbage in the White House I have a Bridge to Nowhere story to sell him.

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jwa(09:37:30) :

I, too, have a sinking feeling about this. My great fear about all this is that the average American voter seems to simply look at the surface and make up his/her mind without looking at or caring about the facts.

Regardless of what you may think about John Kerry, Bush/Rove ‘Swift-boated’ him with lies. The Republicans spent three days wrapping themselves in the flag and talking about nothing but McCain’s military service. (Did you know he was a POW? He doesn’t really like to talk about it) But 4 years ago they mercilessly smeared a legitimate decorated Viet Nam War Hero in support of a legitimate COWARD who pulled strings and used family connections to spend the war in Texas.

The Republicans will say and do ANYTHING to keep the White House and far too many Americans won’t care or notice. Our only hope is that enough independent-minded people in the middle will pay attention enough to notice that the emperor has no clothes. We still have a long way to go before the election.

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oklahoma independent(09:37:47) :

I think the media is being challenged and my hope is that they will rise up to the occasion. Obama is a good man, and character will always come out ahead, even if the worst happens and he loses the election. Republicans prey on the uneducated, uninformed voters and drive a wedge into our great country. It is sad, it is frustrating, but it’s a reality. Until the media stands up to them and calls out their lies, it won’t change.
Keep up the good work Mudflats…
Obama/Biden ’08

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Louisville, KY(09:38:19) :

Keep it up, Mudflats!!

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Nebraska Native(09:39:20) :

Waving to the media! Please, please… are there any independent thinkers in msm any more? Anyone willing to print FACTS? I know the blogs are rife with accurate (and inaccurate) info, but leads are links are posted. Information can be verified. I am stunned by the double standard and hypocrisy that the McCain campaign is being allowed to get away with…lies are repeated as are the speeches ad nauseum– over and over with the same lies. I don’t think I will be able to watch Charlie Gibson’s “interview” with Palin, the writing is already on the wall. I am at a loss of words for once.

I’m simply staggered at how supine the press has become. They are being deferent and giving the benefit of the doubt to the people who told us there were WMDs in Iraq. Imagine that. ”

I saw one newsperson talking about the lipstick comment immediately followed by the words vicious attack. I couldn’t believe she just said that until I realized she was going into the next segment, she did it with barely taking a breath . I’d rather be looking for leprechauns than siding with the lunatic Armageddon fringe though.

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Uncle Joe Mccarthy(09:42:46) :

btw, the boy is now 17…and was 15 when palin tried to get wooten removed from his post

the incident occured 6 years ago…

and the judges words need to be used in an attack ad…sarah palin is a child abuser

it is sad that it has come to this…but when they put out 2 ads filled with blatant lies…it is time to fight fire with fire….with the real truth

SP seems to be stuck using the same tools: harassment until someone quits or directly firing them if they don’t quit. Troopergate is just another example of her modus operandi. Her treatment of her kids follows a similar track: they get in trouble and she sends them away (Track sent away after getting caught in the school bus escapade and Bristol sent to live with aunt in Anchorage). How many cue cards will she have to carry to explain everything she’s done?

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Let'sGetReal(09:43:54) :

You guys shouldn’t be worried! As I said yesterday, on a previous post. It will be young adults coming out in droves to vote Obama/Biden ticket! They are deciding factor for this election!!! They are more pumped than anyone realizes! Obama started with this group in the beginning! Have faith!!!

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Uncle Joe Mccarthy(09:43:58) :

the email is gone

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MJC(09:44:11) :

Obama said last week that how McCain run’s his campaign is an indication of how he will run the Whitehouse.

God Help Us All!

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Let'sGetReal(09:45:09) :

My post didn’t make it.

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Proud2BUSA(09:45:12) :

Valhella –

She won’t have to carry cue cards, because no one will be able to ask her questions. I won’t be surprised if we hear soon that one cannot look at Caribou Barbie unless you are acting with deference. Wanna bet?

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Kathy(09:46:38) :

Mudflats is the only consolation I have since this nightmare (nightmoose?) began.

By the way, didn’t some of that famous Wooten poached moose end up inside the stomach of one Governor Palin?

Best nickname I’ve seen so far: Governor Mooselini.

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Citizen of Indignation(09:47:05) :

I am glad that some of this news is finally going national. I simply cannot imagine someone who behaves in this manner being this bad at being bad. If you do evil, do it well, like Cheney. If not, don’t do it at all.

One thing I just thought of, what happens when she experiences disappointment in November and then comes back to Alaska to seek out those less than supportive to her campaign. Scary.

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Nebraska Native(09:47:34) :

OK… funny thing for a moment… talking rep head on msnbc? cnn? said that Sarah was doing just “fine” with her speeches, press conferences (?) etc. ‘Round these parts of the Great Plains “fine” means F***ed up, Insecure, Neurotic and Emotionally unstable. Yup yup, Sarah is fine 🙂

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Proud2BUSA(09:47:58) :

@jwa – your sinking feeling. I have decided that the education in our country must be A WHOLE LOT WORSE than we thought. No one reads. No one does any critical thinking. No one backs up with facts. . . . no child left behind, my foot. . . . I think we need to start with the adults.

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Let'sGetReal(09:48:40) :

Please do not be scared, or gloomy about all of this. As I stated on a previous post, the young adults will be the deciding factor for this election. They will come out in masses to vote the Obama/Biden ticket!

Obama knew this, which is why he started with this generation! Give the Obama’s campaign credit! They know what they are doing.

The republican’s can spin, and spin…this generation will not fall for their crap, like the older generation does. Some may, but very few will!

I can only hope the media is reading this blog and following up on the good stuff.

There is no doubt the media is reading this blog. Way to go Muckraker, whatever your future holds I hope you keep it real !

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Proud2BUSA(09:51:31) :

@Let’sGetReal –

I really hope you’re right. I know NONE of my son’s friends – well, there is one – want to be drafted and go into the military, NONE of them believe it is a “holy war.”

The sad thing for the young people is that majority of their lives (that they can remember) has been under George W. Can you imagine? Their respect for the Office is a little off. I believe Obama will bring that back come 11/4.

Did she have the same speech in Nebraska today? If she did, some of us owe the campaign some money.

OBAMA!!!! VOLUNTEER. DONATE. VOTE.

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Diva(09:52:36) :

MJC (09:44:11) :

Obama said last week that how McCain run’s his campaign is an indication of how he will run the Whitehouse

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Considering that the same man, K-K-KArl Rove, runs both, I’d same this truly in

OCLiberal — Nixon with Lipstick… pretty much the same as a pitbull with lipstick I’d say. I did say on another thread that if they get in we blogger types all need to assume that we’ll be listed on Sarahcuda’s Enemies List. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. She scares me more than Bombs Away LeMay and Ronald Ray-GunZap. Reagan wrote the book on Executive Orders but I tend to believe he actually cared about the United States. What worries me is that Bush et. al. through to McCain/Palin as puppets of Karl Rove only care about power and control.

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Proud2BUSA(09:56:58) :

“Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge where there is no river.”

Nikita Khrushev

Maybe Gov. Mooselini has more in common with a foreign country than we thought!

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Laughing No Longer...(09:57:11) :

To Any Media Out There:

Please DO YOUR JOB
Don’t you live here too?
Don’t you have children?
Please look outside Bethesda and McLean where you are insulated with the people you are supposed to be honestly reporting on
People need information
Every day that you repeat spin, Edward R. Murrow spins a little more

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HamletsMill(09:57:44) :

“We can’t kill our way to victory, and no armed force anywhere — no matter how good — can deliver these keys alone. It requires teamwork and cooperation,” Mullen said.

“Mullen also said roads, schools and courts can be built and repaired, but that work is not enough either. Afghanistan needs more experts in commerce, agriculture, jurisprudence and education. The nation also needs ‘foreign investment, alternative crops, sound governance and the rule of law.’

As I posted on another thread, my brother-in-law and my oldest sister along with a a staff of some very intelligent and very brave people from four nations who were both old Afghan hands like them and new ones too, ran the entire medical relief effort for the United States of America since 2002 just after the shooting stopped. Their project was mentioned as psychological feel good window dressing in two of Bush’s State of the Union addresses. They got medical assistance to 9 million Afghan men, women, and children in 16 provinces. The project is now over and is being run by a greatly reduced Afghan staff due to funding cuts 16 months ago. They stayed on doing something else there for the last year. They are coming back next Spring. Both of them are thoroughly disgusted. I hope my sister writes a book. The magnitude of the opportunities lost in Afghanistan over the last eight years to deal with the real situation because of the Iraq War is unfathomable. The corporate MSM completely failed to cover the true magnitude of the incompetence of the Bush Administration.

You heard it here on Mudflats direct from their experience through this post. It is too late for Afghanistan. It is too late.

The only thing that could turn the situation around is massive brilliant collective international co-operation to address the problems at every level of social and economic development. A military solution will not work. As the Russians. Could an Obama Administration try to regroup and fast track an effort with other nations? Perhaps. Could a McCain Administration? I doubt it. Would a Palin Administration have the personal clout with our allies when McCain drops dead and she takes over to get them mobilized? I don’t think so.

We are at the crossroads. There is no more time. Things may not even stay stable enough to January 20th 2009 as BushCo just passively run out the clock. If we do not change the equation very, very soon for the positive from this drift using diplomatic leadership, Scott Ritter has clearly stated where it will go.

We have lived through The WORST American government in 230 years.

If this cynical Rovian ticket is elected, McCain will keel over and PTA Mom is going to be in charge of the greatest nuclear arsenal in history with absolutely no experience in world affairs.

@jwa – your sinking feeling. I have decided that the education in our country must be A WHOLE LOT WORSE than we thought. No one reads. No one does any critical thinking. No one backs up with facts. . . . no child left behind, my foot. . . . I think we need to start with the adults.

Proud,
NCLB is all bullshit, they’re cramming kids into the easiest classes they can (below their potential) so they score big and the school looks better rather than risk failure. I’ve had no less than 3 fights with my son’s school to raise the bar for him. He’s just started another class that was deemed “too smart for him” now and he has yet to fail a class a teacher claimed he would. I’ve actually been told by a teacher better an easy A than to struggle in a challenging class. It’s more heartbreaking than anything some stupid politican does. What happens to the kid that doesn’t have mom pushing back? I’ve been told by friends to let him “fail” so he’ll learn a lesson, um, yea, that’s the point the schools don’t want to give him a chance to fail. Good luck taking that approach in a public school system, and ultimate irony?? When the kids do fail THEN they start telling the kid they have to raise the bar and to reach for the stars cliche bullshit. It’s nuts !

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Republic of the healthy sceptic(09:58:15) :

Look folks lay off Palin’s family-it is disgusting the way this whole Palin thing has been handled in the most disrespectful manner possible. Even if all the faults against her were true, she would still be a far better human being and a far better public representative than 90% of the idiots who are supposedly representing the country at this point in time. In the same respect the media coverage of anything to do with John Edwards was disgraceful. Palin is a much better candidate than McCain. But questioning of McCain is absolutely forbidden. Also the media is obsessed with the importance of foreign policy. Considering the economic crisis in the US, this shows a complete lack of reality in the mindsets of media journalists on all shades of the ideological/power spectrum. I wish Edwards and Palin God’s love and help in their difficult times. For all their faults, they both are trying to serve their society and fix it. This is more than I can say for the Neo-Cons or the Neo-Dems who together have been running America between them since 1980. And most of time running the country into the ground, into a nowhere land of empty promises, debt, decline, delusion, and wholescale coverups.
Obama is a better choice for President. But this idea of voting somebody because of his color is completely absurd, and intellectually bankrupt. It has completely destroyed the election from the Democrat side. Voting for a woman is also absolutely stupid. It really frightens me the number of teachers (female) who are so committed to getting Hillary into the White House, that they will do anything, go along with any lie, and throw any insult at anybody who threatens their candidates chances. Wake up you silly fools. Obama is a better candidate than Hillary, and Obama has won. And to think that these people are in charge of the nation’s children for six hours every day. [God help America]. So much for education. But the liberal have gone silly in the Democrat selection process. And now the liberals in the media are going way overboard. They are in a world of simplification. They know nothing about Obama, and nothing about McCain. But Obama has to make it, because he was black. Hey, what if he was blue ?? I don’t think McCain will solve any of America’s problems. McCain is correct with respect to the failings of Congress. But he was part of the problem for decades, and he was limited in what he did to prevent the financial crisis from developing over that period of time. America needs to bring the troops home, and send them to the Gulf Coast and the Mississippi delta, to the derelict cities, the weak bridges, the decrepid train lines, etc, and get involved in upgrading American Infrastructure. In 1939 the US had the best civilian infrastructure in the World. Today it is a joke. And it is costing business.
I am non-impressed with Joe Biden. He is a hawk in sheep’s clothing. He is a Catholic who was ready to ignore ‘The Just War Theory’ and ally the US with that crackpot in Georgia who wanted to start WWIII. And all for oil. Disgraceful. He is an old man who claims to bring something new to Washington politics. There are just too many contradictions. And he reminds me of McCain. It seems that now you get a John McCain type middle of the road hawk no matter which candidate wins the Presidency. This is bad news. These wars cost money and leave nobody better off. McCain even thinks Vietnam was wothwhile. Chances are so does Biden. Neither Bush nor Clinton will comment on whether or not the Vietnam military misadventure was worthwhile. Neither of them were involved.
It is a pity that Michael Bloomberg is not running for President. He has a non-nonsense approach, and talks a lot of sense. He knows what needed fixing in New York. The same approach needs to be applied to the rest of the states. And thankfully, he doesn’t call himself an ‘expert on foreign policy’. In a previous generation, JFK, LBJ and Nixon were all ‘experts on foreign policy’. They gave us the Vietnam quagmire. Their expertise cost young Americans their lives.

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akmuckraker(09:58:19) :

Sorry about the bad link to the email from Palin to Grimes. It’s fixed now.

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Chicago Sue(09:58:35) :

McCain just released a new ad. I’d like to know how Alaskan’s react to this. The ad shows Obama’s lawyers–depicted as wolves–descending upon Palin and Alaskans. When I watched it, it looked to me like McCain was trying to justify Palin’s policy of allowing aerial shooting of wolves … The ad is actually entitled “fact-check”

p.s. – words can’t adequately express how much I appreciate Mudflats, you are giving us an outstanding lifeline to/from Alaska. Thank you for your service to our country.

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JohnW(09:58:44) :

@Let’sGetReal –

As long as they realize that have to VOTE not just talk!

@Proud2BUSA –

Nothing in the local news about her being in Nebraska today. Thank God! But we do have the grand opening of the Obama/Biden campaign headquarters tonight. And since Nebraska is one of two states that could split their electoral votes, we might just stand a chance of keeping this state from being completely red.

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Nebraska Native(09:59:04) :

Proud2BUSA– she was NOT here. Nebraska is traditionally red and doesn’t need attention from republican candidates. Except, this year… Many many Obama activists alive and well and spreading the news!

OH, and Obama is pushing for more and more availble AP and college leves classes in HS 🙂 In our district you have to already be a school star to get in but imagine a system where any kid is welcome to try?

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Julie Arizona(09:59:43) :

There are some interesting comments on Trooper Wooten and his problems with the Palin family. What is most interesting is that this is taken from comments on a newspaper story in an ALASKA newspaper in July, long before she was named as McCain’s running mate. Seems there are many in Alaska who are not 100% for Palin.

This may not be the most serious case you have been involved with in your life, but it is the first headline dealing with the sole issue of your trooper career.

If the tea leaves read correctly, its the first gentle introduction into the public destruction of your career Trooper Wooten.

Tomorrow, with the grace of God and some help with Kopps personal connection to his reference to religion, the Legislature will meet and vote to hire an investigator with subpoena powers.

To make matters even funnier, Todd Palin was busy last week judging the Miss Alaska Contest. How funny. I guess they had to find something for him to do that might keep him out of trouble.

The $64,000.00 question this morning is where is their eldest daughter? And did Track go into the military on his own or did he have encouragement from our legal system???

This is better than the answer to the weeks old question being was Todd privy to confidential State information and did he share it with his co-workers at BP???

Dan Fagan brought it up on the air the other day, DID TODD PALIN REALLY SIT IN ON CONFIDENTIAL MEETINGS WITH OILIES, THE LEGISLATURE, COMMISSIONERS AND OTHER STATE EMPLOYEES WHILE PIPELINE AND ENERGY ISSUES WERE DISCUSSED.

HOW MUCH DOES TODD PALIN KNOW ABOUT THE OPERATION OF THE STATE, SECURE NEGOTIATIONS, AND THE BIDS FOR AGIA??

HAS HE MET WITH TRANS CANADA OR FOOTHILLS AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GOVERNOR?

HIS EMAILS TO STATE EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE PUBLIC INFORMATION. THE ONLY EMAILS WHICH MAY BE PROTECTED WOULD BE THE ONES TO HIS WIFE, THE GOVERNOR, BUT ONLY TO THE LIMIT OF PERSONAL ISSUES.

IF HE DISCUSSED STATE BUSINESS, BE IT BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS APPOINTMENTS, PERSONNEL ISSUES OF TIBBLES, BITNEY OR DAN FAGANS RADIO SHOW, THEN THOSE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED PUBLIC. IF HE HAS SIGNED CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS, BEEN PAID PER DIEM, OR EXPENSES THAT INFORMATION SHOULD BE PUBLIC ALSO.

THIS SHOULD PROVE TO BE AN INTERESTING WEEK. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION I CAN’T PUT IT INTO WORDS.

SO MANY WOMEN HAD HOPED SARAH PALIN WOULD BE THE BEST, MOST HONEST CHOICE FOR GOVERNOR. WE HOPED SHE WOULD BE DIFFERENT, HAVE RESPECT FOR THE TRUST THE VOTERS HAD FOR HER WHEN WE ELECTED HER.

SADLY, AS THE EMAILS TRICKLE OUT OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, ALASKANS ARE LEARNING HER ADMINISTRATION MAY BE AS BAD AS THE LAST. IN SOME ASPECTS THE VIOLATION OF THE TRUST OF TRANSPARENCY, HONESTY AND INTEGRITY MAY BE WORSE, ALASKANS NEEDED TO KNOW WE HAD MADE A GOOD CHOICE, OUR GOVERNOR WOULD KEEP PROMISES AND BE ONE OF US.

WE ARE SLOWLY FINDING THE ADMINISTRATION IS A PUBLIC RELATIONS MACHINE WHOSE NUTS AND BOLTS ARE FALLING OFF ONE AT A TIME. THE SMILE AND BUZZ WORDS JUST AREN’T WORKING ANYMORE.

THE RESULTING DAMAGE IS DESTROYING PUBLIC TRUST IN POLITICIANS WHO ARE GOOD, HARD WORKING PEOPLE WHO ARE ETHICAL, AND WELL MEANING.

10092008

raingods(10:00:01) :

Let’sGetReal is right-and what’s the old expression? It’s always darkest before the dawn. Obama didn’t get where he is today without a top notch campaign, so let’s not shortchange them now.

10092008

Nebraska Native(10:00:22) :

John W… are you from NE too??? Got the email about the headquarters opening– yippee!

10092008

MJC(10:03:37) :

PROUDTOBEUSEA:

You had asked on the last thread what Catholics think of Biden. They think that he is going against the Church’s teachings. The Church has denied Biden and Pelosi the right to receive Communion. This is the main reason I have postponed my conversion to the Catholicism at this time.
The article is below.

Yep, and I’m planning on stopping by after work for the opening. If you’re going to be there, look for a slightly balding redhead with a beard, that’ll be me.

10092008

ocliberal(10:06:32) :

And remember that the polls really don’t count the young adult vote. Do you know anyone under 30 who has a landline? I sure don’t. I have 3 kids of voting age between the ages of 26 and 36 – not a landline between them.

And not a republican among them either! I am a proud Mom in many ways.

And not an unwanted pregnancy, an abortion between them and all have college education. Not bad from for an aging hippie from the 60’s who was an original feminist (when it really was a dirty word) and have been pro-choice before it was legal. You see, the dirty little secret that the republicans really don’t want you know is that when you provide young people with information and you give them choices, they will surprise you quite often and make the right choices!

Many things have changed in my life but I still hate being lied to by my government and I still hate wasting money this country doesn’t have on wars where the only verifiable statistic that everyone can relate to is how many people have died!

God bless the Internet! At least the information is out there now and you’d have to live in a hole to not know that Sarah Palin opposed the bridge before she was for it.

The question is, are more people willing to just say lying is okay because it’s ‘just politics as usual’ or are you ready to say as Mr. Barack Obama has said as eloquently as I have ever heard it said in my lifetime.

ENOUGH!

10092008

Proud2BUSA(10:08:06) :

@LetsGetReal –

I will agree with you on 99% of your comments, sans one.

Sarah Palin is the one who PARADED her family out, announced herself as “just like [me],” told us how she started as a Hockey Mom, PTSA member, etc. and then hoisted that sweet little baby up over her head.

I’ve been in the professional world for almost 25 years (and truly, it IS professional) and I can assure you NO WOMAN interviews for a job like that. Yep, we’re moms, and we are exceptionally proud of our children. What’s different? SHE is the one who brought this on her children because SHE USED THEM AS PROPS FOR HER. If she would have introduced them quietly and then let it drop, hey, I would be with you. But when the covers of People, US, and dare I say, National Enquirer, have her holding her baby looking like some amazing wonderful Mom, I say ‘ENOUGH” and GAME ON.

You NEVER say Hillary or Bill or anybody else that I know of USE THEIR CHILDREN so commercially as this mother has . . . well, maybe Lindsey Lohan’s mom. . . she brought that on to her children, not us.

I do agree that we need to focus on the real issues at hand, like WAR, the economy and the like, but Mommy Dearest brought this on ALL BY HERSELF.

10092008

shilo(10:08:13) :

This Palin is the biggest sham I’ve ever seen. McMoose is hidding behind a women to get elected, he’s not man enough to stand on his own policies so he lets her and his campaign cry sexist to derail from the real issues like economy , education, health care. OH and any of you out there on social security MC MOOSE wants to privitize it, this means the cost of living you recieve each year STOPS. If you 60+ think before you vote for him just on this issue, It’s easy to google and verify.

under No Child Left Behind, the school districts cannot afford to fail a child because they lose Federal money. No Child Left Behind is a mockery of education foisted upon us by GeeDub. It didn’t work in Texas and because he used the say-it-three-times-and-the-lie-becomes-true method he got it passed through to the Federal level. I taught a college course in Texas in the early 90s. Students in my class had to write essays on plays, both read and attended. The sad thing was that they didn’t know how to write because the state test didn’t test for writing skills. The point of NCLB is to be able to pass a test and that is all they teach — how to pass the test. Later, when I taught in Kansas once NCLB became the law of the land, I saw the same problem develop…and the question most asked in classes…”Do we need to know this for the test?”

Now they are bootcamping Sarah so that she can pass the MSM/Charlie Gibson test. sheesh… I am going back to listening to chantoosie’s jazz… I felt better.

10092008

Glenn2008(10:10:27) :

Dear All,
I got somehow directed to a blog which made me immensely sad. I just don’t understand how pople do not see the critical difference Obama brings to this country at this critical time:

Quote a typical line ” I’m thoroughly enjoying watching the McCain team keeping him on defense (such a time waster!). ”

I understand Obama needs to tak the high road. However, isn’t there anyone else who could pound on the outright lies made by the McCain ads. I am also thinking it could be enough for a DEFAMATION court case. Think about the repeated McCain ads/statements of “Obama raising the taxes”, “advocated pre-school sex education”, “never reached across the isle to work with conservatives”, “never authored a bill”. The list goes on. There are plenty of these staments on record that would be an easy proof in front of a court…

What do you think?

10092008

kimbers(10:10:53) :

For those of you who can’t get into WordPress please see here for email and other documents:

I would suggest printing it (and any of the others) before it disappears… sorry but I’m a long term believer that there is a good reason that the words truth and government rarely appear in the same sentence.

10092008

degen(10:12:11) :

It’s simple: PALIN is a LIAR and a FRAUD. She lies frequently and unashamedly.

And anyone who would vote for a pathological liar and fraud like Palin is a moron who only sees what they want to see.

10092008

Proud2BUSA(10:14:55) :

@Glenn2008: …you can lead a horse, er, moose, to water, but you can’t make him drink….

even if can get one person to begin to THINK FOR THEMSELVES, it will be a vote. The problem is that we are a sport-oriented nation who likes to just tear our opponents to shreds. Unfortunately, we’re taking this into the courtroom and national arena where it truly does not belong. If someone could come up with some good sports metaphors for the Obama campaign, that would be great.

I personally love the Caribou Barbie’s and Gov. Mooselini, but I don’t think they are going to play to Glenn2008’s crowd.

10092008

Nebraska Native(10:16:27) :

@ John W… I don’t live in that city, so I will donate again instead. So very glad to meet you!!!! Here’s to splitting that electoral vote!

10092008

shstl(10:31:54) :

As many of you may know, newspapers across the country are in a financial free-fall. Even biggies like the New York Times have been laying people off. They probably can’t afford to lose any more subscribers.

So… if you’re angry about the media’s lame response to Palin and her ivory tower, call your favorite newspaper (or news magazine) and cancel your subscription. And be sure to let them know why.

Riverdaughter is a sad excuse for a Pennsylvanian. She claims to have been a regular commentator for DailyKos but left because they weren’t left-wing enough for her. She has her nose stuck so far up Hillary’s backside that she cannot see the light of day.

And to top it off, if anyone visiting her site leaves a comment which is slightly negative towards Hillary… bbbzzzttt… she censors you, copies your email ady and adds it to a list circulated by the PUMA and NO WE WONT groups. You want vindictive? The only difference between Riverdaughter and Palin is that Palin actually was elected to office. One and the same, those two.

10092008

From England(10:35:54) :

Well…..!!! I never!
Been so busy with work that I haven’t had time to post but I have been following the blog “Religiously”. Thank you Muck and everyone for the thoughtful posts.

That woman Sp is such a bullying terror. We had a wonderful admin in our office, she was the most ineffective person I had ever met but also the nicest….we just didn’t have the heart to get rid of her. SP is just so unkind, I find myself willing her to fail (irrespective of her policies)……

“Let me share again with you just a few of the many episodes in Wooten’s recent past that have been discussed with Wooten’s supervisors after the episodes were publicly discussed by Wooten with many in our community who are left scratching their heads regarding Wooten’s poor reflection of the Trooper mission to prevent loss of life and property as a result of illegal or unsafe acts.”

Think that Colonel Grimes was probably scratching HER head at that doozy of a sentence. Yup … That’s the sort of clear thinker I want to elect.

10092008

Meleana(10:40:05) :

Back to the dynamic of the narcissist!

I’ve just read Palin’s regarding Trooper Wooten. In laymen’s terms, this is the pot calling the kettle black. In psychological terms, I think this is an example of one narcissist getting confronted head-on with another. She feels this situation so acutely because she is just like him.

My in-laws are staunch Catholic one issue voters. For them Biden, Pelosi, our Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius, John Kerry, Ted Kennedy — they are all apostate Catholics who must be denied Communion because of their beliefs on abortion. Both my MIL & FIL and assorted S/BILs are in agreement. Thus the core of single issue voters. Yes they are middle class slowly slipping into poverty, yes they’re middle age rapidly headed into Social Security or already on SS/Medicare, but the MOST important issue to them is prohibiting abortion. I had this discussion with my FIL and a nephew the other day — nephew asked me why I was a Dem so I told him. FIL was pretty upset that I was pro-choice — little does he know that his son is pro-choice as well as is several of his grandchildren.

The thing that brings the Catholics and the Fundamentalist/Evangelicals together is their stance on abortion. The Fundies/Evangs have no respect for the Catholics and as pointed out earlier even suggest that the Pope is the anti-Christ or some assistant thereto. BUT if the Catholics can help them get (say it all together now) Power & Control then they will use them. Once in power they can make all of us non-Fundie/Evangs conform or die or move into Harley’s basement in Canada.

10092008

Proud2BUSA(10:44:52) :

@England: I just cracked up over your little play on words. . . sad, isn’t it? Our first ammendment is just. . . we HAVE TO PRESERVE IT AT ALL COSTS.

@swineprincess: thanks for helping me understand this better. I don’t think anyone is pro-abortion. I just think people are about “choice” – I can’t imagine anyone thinking this would be an easy decision. I just don’t think it is a government decision. And I guess my real question is: so we’re okay using our tax dollars that we give each year to the government to kill innocent people and children, but we’re not okay with a 12-year-old who’s been brutally raped an uncle making a choice that is best for her quietly and just between her, her family and their doctor?

10092008

marksmyword(10:45:47) :

I’m praying that the investigation does not become bogged down because of Palin’s lawyers. This information needs to be on page one of every newspaper in America.

10092008

george(10:48:50) :

And the icing is the PS at the end …

“Again, Wooten happens to be my brother-in-law, and after his infidelity and physical abuse of his wife (my sister) (my edit … duh!) surfaces, Mike chose to leave his family and has continued to threaten to “bring down” anyone who supports her. I would ask that you objectively consider this information, disregarding my sister’s pending divorce from Wooten, as I have objectively separated the divorce and Wooten’s threats against me and my family with the fact that the Troopers have a loose cannon on their hands.”

Too frickin’ much …

10092008

Julie Arizona(10:49:09) :

Swine Princess

I’ve had the same experience. When I have asked friends around the community what they didn’t like about Obama, their reply was he is for abortion. I tried to point out that few people are “for” abortion, they are only for the right of a woman to make her own choice.

It’s interesting that these people who want the government out of their lives are totally for the govt controlling our bodies on this one issue. I don’t know how to counter their argument. Any ideas?

10092008

Laurie(10:49:51) :

To Republic of the healthy sceptic

Please…when you go off on a tirade, it would be best if you broke it into paragraphs. I dont know about anyone else…but i only read about 6 lines and then had to stop. Sheesh.

“For America to make a decision as grave as this one – while the planet boils and with the US fighting two wars – on the trivial basis that a hockey mom is likable and seems down to earth, would be to convey a lack of seriousness, a fleeing from reality, that does indeed suggest a nation in, to quote Weisberg, “historical decline”. Let’s not forget, McCain’s campaign manager boasts that this election is “not about the issues.””

I don’t know if there’s something that I’m missing…I’m just dumbfounded that now the discussion has moved to lipsticked pigs. Soldiers are DYING in wars, people are LOSING their homes……people have no Healthcare. I just don’t understand why the American public isn’t insulted that McWailin’ are being so “frivolous” about the situation. These people are jokers.

I get so angry when I tune in, I can’t imagine how you Americans feel.

10092008

george(10:50:48) :

Julie AZ,

I think a simple “where did you hear that?” might suffice in getting them to step back and think … “did I really hear that?”

10092008

Proud2BUSA(10:52:34) :

@fromEngland:

Is there a link to the transcript or piece? thanks!!

10092008

Glenn2008(10:53:09) :

Proud2BUSA,
So you are suggesting that staying firmly, calmly on the high road is best for the campaign. And for our part, the best thing we can do is to convince people one by one to think.

Does that capture what you suggest? I honestly cannot figure out whether reacting or not is the right path for the campaign. What else we, the community could do?

Watching how demagogy and lies go unchellenged and the feeling we cannot correct them makes me feel sick. A lot of it is very similar to what was going on in the old communist block. I am amazed how noble slogans are repeated and abused to the point of becoming obvious and meaningless: “Country first”, “service” etc. I see your point that media reporting elevates it to the kind of sport you are talking about and people are actually enjoying it. When will people wake up and ask real questions?

10092008

Susan(10:53:27) :

Best sentence from the Palin/Grimes letter, and Sarah put this in bold font for emphasis: “Wooten does not tell the truth. He intimidates people and abuses his position.” She’s jealous because he’s stealing her tactics!

10092008

Corie(10:56:26) :

I’ve been on an emotional roller coaster these past two weeks, and Mudflats and Andrew Sullivan are the only things that have prevented me from going totally crazy! I am so impressed by the thoughtful and articulate comments I have seen on this blog – so different from any other I’ve seen.

I have to believe that Obama’s message of POSITIVE change is going to win out in the end. The youth vote is extremely important, and we have to do all we can to make sure they go to the polls. Young people don’t rely on the mainstream media for their information. They look it up online or talk to their friends or follow links on Facebook and MySpace. I tend to think that they’re not going to be fooled. The people who have bought into the Palin phenomenon are people who don’t seek out additional information to confirm or rebut what the respective campaigns and the MSM have told them. Still, it’s going to be a LONG road to Nov. 4th. Hopefully, I won’t develop an ulcer by then.

10092008

shstl(10:59:58) :

I believe that the company you keep says a lot about you, especially when you’re trying to paint an image of yourself as an agent of change. Well, here are some facts about the guy BEHIND McCain’s big iron curtain, chief strategist Steve Schmidt:

from the Washington Post, 2006:

“During the 2006 election cycle, Schmidt served as campaign manager for California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s reelection bid, and prior to that was a member of the Bush political inner circle. He handled the strategic communications efforts during the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Samuel A. Alito Jr. and John G. Roberts Jr., and during the 2004 presidential election he was a member of the “breakfast club” — a small gathering of top level Bush advisers who met regularly at the home of senior strategist Karl Rove.

Schmidt joins a McCain inner circle crowded with former Bush loyalists, including campaign manager Terry Nelson, communications director Brian Jones and media adviser Mark McKinnon. Even as McCain seeks to replicate the Bush model on a staff level, he also has spent considerable time courting establishment figures who chose Bush over him during the 2000 campaign.”

Meanwhile Brit Hume (yes that Brit Hume)…was just mocking McWailin’ for the lipstick thing..LOL. He said That’s what we’re talking about? Shut up!

I feel better now. Even Fox news is derriding them…

10092008

kimbers(11:07:35) :

Thanks Harley. Appreciate it!

Here’s a couple of suggestions that have been working well for me:

1) I print various articles and snail mail them to the folks who don’t have computers. I figure these people really need the inside story on things because they really only have the MSM as an information source.

The PO and Office Depot are making plenty of dough off me these days.

Amazingly, not one single person has asked me to stop sending them information. I take that as a really positive sign.

2) Because I have several relatives in nursing homes, I volunteered to hold a political discussion group with the oldsters (my term). Everyone has been invited for some good healthy debates. The turn out has been phenominal! Since I thought race would be an issue, to my personal surprise and deep joy, there is quite a bit of Obama support among the elderly.

Please everyone, if you have a relative in a nursing home, don’t forget them! Make sure we get them to the polls on election day!

10092008

Diva(11:11:02) :

Meleana (10:40:05) :

Back to the dynamic of the narcissist!

I’ve just read Palin’s regarding Trooper Wooten. In laymen’s terms, this is the pot calling the kettle black. In psychological terms, I think this is an example of one narcissist getting confronted head-on with another. She feels this situation so acutely because she is just like him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shorter Meleana-

“It takes one to know one”- 🙂

That’s what I was thinking as I read Palin’s email. Her problem now, as I see it, is she has told so many lies that no one knows what is true and what is not. We, the American people, can only judge her by her actions. Therefore, since she is covering this investigation up, we can only conclude that she lied in the course of it.

On another note, her telling all the journalists traveling with her that everything was “off the record” should have been their clue to get off the plane! If she will not go on the record with the American people then the MSM should refuse to give Palin/McCain ANY press coverage!

Well, maybe just keep a counter going of how many days and hours since she was named VP pick and has not yet answered any questions.

10092008

From England(11:11:10) :

sorry ..not Brit hume, Shep what’s his name?

10092008

Phil(11:12:00) :

The media is having a field day with the “lipstick on a pig” comment today. McCain used the same comment against Hillary Clinton when she was first lady and proposing her universal healthcare plan.

I had seen a couple of comments on one of the posts here a few days ago saying Palin was quoted as saying “Sambo just beat the bitch” on the day he became the nominee. Does anyone have the link to the clip or article? Thanks in advance!!!

Writing this post from the Netherlands, I can tell you that the world is watching the US elections closely. This article is a must read for every American – although the article mentions that Obama’s popularity in Berlin did have a negative effect on the polls in the US. The bigger the problems, the more ostrich behaviour:

“Of course I know that even to mention Obama’s support around the world is to hurt him. Incredibly, that large Berlin crowd damaged Obama at home, branding him the “candidate of Europe” and making him seem less of a patriotic American. But what does that say about today’s America, that the world’s esteem is now unwanted? If Americans reject Obama, they will be sending the clearest possible message to the rest of us – and, make no mistake, we shall hear it.”

For us in Europe, it’s very frightening to see what’s going on. And hard to imagine as well. We have knots in our stomach and there is nothing we can do but watch and pray.

So please, keep up your good spirit and your good work.

10092008

sheesh(11:21:09) :

Governor Mooselini!

That is the best laugh I’ve had all day!

10092008

The Logician(11:21:44) :

Speaking of journalism, forget Newsweek. Think Enquirer.

The National Enquirer (circulation 2.76 million per week, to all the right people) has another story, paints a picture of the Palin family as a pack of drug-addled Clampetts, out of control.

Excerpt:

The ENQUIRER has learned exclusively that Sarah’s oldest son, Track, was addicted to the power drug OxyContin for nearly the past two years, snorting it, eating it, smoking it and even injecting it. And as Track, 19, heads to Iraq as part of the U.S. armed forces, Sarah and her husband Todd were powerless to stop his wild antics, detailed in the new issue of The ENQUIRER, which goes on sale today.

THE ENQUIRER also has exclusive details about Track’s use of other drugs, including cocaine, and his involvement in a notorious local vandalism incident.

“I’ve partied with him (Track) for years,” a source disclosed. “I’ve seen him snort cocaine, snort and smoke OxyContin, drink booze and smoke weed.”

The source also divulged the girls would do anything for Track and he’d use his local celebrity to manipulate other guys “to get them to steal things he wanted.”

“He finally did what a lot of troubled kids here do,” the source divulged. “You join the military.”

Look, guys.. re the whole leave the family alone thing. Sure, leave the *family* alone – but Sarah Palin has to take responsibility for her actions on this.

As a sister to a victim of domestic violence myself with two nephews who lived in a household they should never have been subjected to, I know what it is like to truly hate the ex-partner of your sibling. This is a subject far too close to home for me.

There was a time when I seriously considered finding a way to remove my sister’s ex from the planet myself. I’m being 100% serious when I say that. I figured that being in jail would be better than having to watch my sister and nephews suffer.

If I had found myself in the position of being able to get my sister’s ex fired, would I have tried to do it? I know within myself the answer to that is no. I know the difference between right and wrong. But by all accounts, my list of issues with my sister’s ex are a *heck* of a lot more serious than Sarah Palin’s issues with Wooten.

I think Wooten has clearly heard the message that the judge gave to the Palins re “Disparaging will not be tolerated—it is a form of child abuse”. That’s why he isn’t saying anything negative. We have to give the guy an awful lot of credit for doing that. Seriously. Good on him. I personally would find it difficult not to speak up (out?) given the media spotlight if I were in his position.

Custody battles are hell for everyone but they are worst of all for the kids.

There’s no doubt in my mind she did the wrong thing and that she tried to get other people to do the wrong thing – and maybe that is even worse than doing the wrong thing yourself because you put other people in a very difficult position.

I feel sorry for the guy whose phone call got recorded – it is possible he will end up losing his job as a result of what he did. I’m sure he did it on her behalf. Because people don’t just wake up in the morning and decide to call and disparage people for no apparent reason. It’s not rational. Did that guy even know Wooten at all?

10092008

Anonymous(11:24:04) :

“lipstick on a pig”…………that benign folksy saying has been around as long as……well……….as long as John ( coward/ liar ) McCain. OOOps…..there is that age thing again. Better be careful telling the TRUTH !!

Apologies for transcription, but here is a Palin e-mail recommending Trooper Wooten in her capacity as Mayor of Wasilla. What my snarky liberal elitism can’t get over is that this woman writes like a 9th grader. I can’t believe that McCain picked her.

“To Whom It May Concern”

It is my pleasure to provide character reference examples for Mr. Mike Wooten. Since I have become acquainted with Mike I continue to be impressed with his integrity, work ethic, community spirit and trustworthinesses.

Mike has asssited (sic) the City of Wasilla with community events including Wassilla’s 25th anniversary celebrations (my comment – the town is 25 years old???), 4th of July parade, and other community-oriented activities. Mike has shown interest and initiative in furthering his involvement with our community in the area of law enforcement and public safety, and he is awaiting future opportunities to assist the public by joining the efforts of public safety officials in our area, including potential opportunities with the Volunteer Police Reserves activities, to assist the Mat-Su Valley.

Mike is a strong supporter of the youth in our community, as evidenced by his willingness to jump right in with our youth football program and successfully coach the seven- to nine-year old boys’ team during the 1999 season. Mike gained respect for his patience and dedication to the young men in his care during the seaon.

On a personal note, I have witnessed Mike’s gift of calm and kindness towards many young kids here in Wasilla. I have never seen him raise his voice, nor lose patience, nor become aggitated (sic) in the presence of any child. Instead, Mike consistently remains a fine role model for my own children, and other young people in Wasilla. I wish America had more people with the grace and sincerity that mirrors the character of Mike Wooten … we would have a much kinder, calmer, trustworthy nation as a result.

I beleive (sic) the United States Air Force has been fortunate to have the services of Mike these past 10 years. His worth ethic, his American patriotism, his obvious dedication to traditional values, and his strong faith in God and truth is witnessed in Mike’s everyday living.

It is an honor to know Mike and I am confident he will continue to grow in character and internal strength as he moves through life. I do not hesitate in praising this man and I am happy to provide more information to you if you so desire.

Sincerely,

SP

10092008

kimbers(11:29:12) :

Well said Snoskred.

10092008

Palmdale, CA(11:49:16) :

@ Snoskred
I’ve lived through and left a verbally, emotionally and sometimes physically abusive relationship. Believe it or not, I don’t hate my ex. He ended up losing his career and his family and his friends. I truly feel sorry for him. I understand the hate and bitterness. I’ve been there. But the abuser isn’t worth all that energy. I’ve forgiven him for the things he did to me. I’m having a harder time with when it involved the kids, even if only indirectly.

McCain’s campaign tactics remind me of an abusive relationship. If we wonder why those tactics work, ask yourselves why women stay around. It’s not stupidity. We stay for a variety of reasons — fear of the unknown , the mythology of the perfect family/nation, the shame and guilt of admitting such huge lapses in judgment, and many more.

I think the portrayal of OBama as wolves descending on Alaska is harkening the image of Palin (and other Alaskans) shooting wolves.

THis is a sick, perverted ad. When will the media say “TOO FAR!”

10092008

Proud2BUSA(11:56:10) :

@Glenn2008:

Sorry – i did have to work for a bit! I think there are a lot of considerations that people have wisely vetted today that need consideration:

1) The PERCEPTION of an angry black man may scare some voters. (I’m embarrassed to even write that, but I think what people were saying was that the Republican Party may be trying to incite Obama to react which will scare some people away.

Obama and much of his leadership have no choice but to take the high road and continue to lay out the issues in a factual, calm manner; demonstrate leadership in the purest sense of the word, and continue to press for grass-roots involvement. Neighbor to neighbor is very effective when people are interested in learning more about the issues.

a. Obama has already publicly taken a horrific and race-filled shots such as the Republican GA Representative calling him “uppity” which, translated in Southern terms means: Know your place, Ni**er. I come from the South. I know what that means. And no one in this party has stopped it – they have probably laughed about it, but they haven’t stopped it. How far have we really come?
b. The commercial run on teaching Sex Ed at age 5 by the McCain campaign is also filled with race tensions and fear . . . TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD was a wonderful story about how a small town in MS decided to treat a black gentleman (and may I remind everyone, an INNOCENT man) and the first time I saw that ad that is what I thought of. . it’s a corrupt attempt to twist a wonderful bill that was designed to protect children from pedophiles and the Republicans twisted it. (Makes one wonder – no abortion even in rape and incest, but the pedophile is cool. . . we certainly don’t want laws for him/her.)
c. this should make people really angry that in 2008 we have politicians playing these types of low ball games. Instead we are seeing a very base behavior of many voters as they allow it to happen and they are okay with it.

2) The Republicans have some voters so wired to think only one way. I have neighbors and friends who vote for the Party. They don’t even vote on issues anymore. One has to hand it to Karl Rove who has taken pages from the same model the Gestapo used in WW2, and what Community Russia used through the end of the Cold War. They use Religion and Fear as the same tactics that were used 70 years ago.

The best messages and ads are those where McCain and Palin are stating the discrepencies themselves.

1) Let’s start with McCain saying this was going to be a “quick smart war” as he did in 2002, and then over it with the fire and death count that continues to rise. Let’s remind people there ARE NO WMD here. We, as a nation, should be up in arms.
2) The picture with Palin before a flag with 49 states is a good with some quick verbage around secessionist tendencies.
3) The formal comparison between Palin’s social beliefs and Hamas is a good one as I don’t believe many Republicans really know that. Use the tapes from her Church when she asks for prayer for a pipeline, and show Obama being more concerned with the sick and the poor.
4) I keep coming back to the degradation of the Bill of Rights. There is a LOT OF FOOTAGE around the loss of habeas corpus and the Supreme Court overturning this as unconstitutional.
5) Finally, Palin’s comment that this is a “holy war.” We need to be swift and strong responding to Hagee and his right wing group. We need to SHOW Lieberman whispering in McCain’s ear that the terrorists are in “…Iraq, John, not Palestine….” as I saw on one of the YouTube links this AM. We need to show Palin’s links to this far right group who is convinced they can drive the Armageddon and ask people if this is what George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton were thinking when they wrote our Constitution.

My thought is USE THE PAST TO ONE’S ADVANTAGE. Just hearing Obama’s calm voice is not getting through. Use McCain’s, Palin’s, Bush’s, Lieberman’s voices. . . it is all there. . . we just need to use it.

Thanks Mudflats for your reporting. Some of us in the lower 48 are getting a bit nervous as well, but the numbers are in Obama’s favor especially when you look at all the newly registered voters, at least for now.

You all should take a look at my congressional representative Michele Bachmann , she is Sarah Palin’s twin! Same religious ideology, same personality, good looking…………..manchurian candidate. No matter what comes out about her people look the other way. I wish I knew how to out people like this but the Rethug machine is too powerful.

When we end up with a totalitarian govermant (almost there anyway) it will be too late and the Dem’s let it happen right under their noses.

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Miemaw from Texas(12:38:02) :

Ha! I got polled today. I’m — over 25 —(way over) I have a landline.

A polling service called about the presidential election. Wanted my “preference” for president. Press (1) for Barack Obama. Beeeep. Thank you very much.

That’s the way polling is done.

On the Wooten thing. The boy, in question in the custody battle, is now old enough to make up his own mind about all this. Let it rest.

However, if she voilated a judge’s order – she’s in contempt.

Mudflats do you reckon Alaska may get tired of all this, at some point in time? Or maybe not.

I saw your commentary on Huffington Post. I come here to read, and comment. Much more fun.

Also saw the ad about the predator wolves. It’s really ridiculous. So much for
McCain not giong to play dirty politics this season. Yet another lie.
Divatalk

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Proud2BUSA(12:39:32) :

lavendrblue –

YES, WE CAN. Don’t buy into the Republican’s “It’s already over, loser” mantra. This IS America. We have to ensure the GOOD GUYS win. We have a lot at stake, and have to get those undecided people to listen. Be aggressive. I’m having a dinner at my house Saturday evening after the Carolina Cook-out, and many of the links that you guys are providing here, I am going to have available with some of the fact sheets coming out of the various media. I am purposely staying away from what would be purported as Leftist media; instead choosing to use the Republican’s own quotes with question marks, e.g. like the one above about no abortion for incest victims, but mocking the very bill that was wrote to support them. I will DO ANYTHING to get people thinking. We cannot give up now. Our children’s lives are dependent on this. Our future, and who knows, much more may be at stake. I WANT to be here in 4 years debating another presidential campaign. I don’t want my rights taken away, or worse yet, a nuclear winter over us. McCain is not speaking the truth. Palin is not speaking the truth. Their Campaign is actually MOCKING the American people because they KNOW THOSE PEOPLE are not going to read anything other than what is handed to them. MAKE PEOPLE THINK. They will make the right choice if we can get them to THINK.

special edition out today….Track Bristol had deep notoriety for using all kinds of drugs oxy coc etc messing around
Bristol thrown out of house after the FIRST pregnancy
and on and on it goes…..
jeez….

next edition comes out on Monday…or sooner…

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Proud2BUSA(12:47:08) :

Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

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Chicago(12:58:14) :

MJC:

I have a Southside Irish priest that is more than an Obama supporter–he does a pilgrimage to Atlanta yearly on MLK day. Many people of faith organized anti-war protests and parades (the cathedral in Chicago was a meeting point) Just remember: institutional hierarchy (any church, any corporation, any government) are just that–in business to keep status quo. It’s the ground troops, so to speak, that make change: the nuns that routinely blockade the entrance to the School of the Americas; dare I say, the community organizers, even…
Remember Sr Helen Prejean…

Also listen to streaming broadcasts.
In fact AKMuckraker, you might add it as a link.

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Glenn2008(13:16:21) :

Proud2BUSA
Thank you for your encouragement. We do need it. You might be right about the high road…

The change depends on us. McCain’s “change” is one he wants to prescribe: he will TELL Washington what to do… Another amazing claim to be the DECIDER(s) of truth (action heroes Mooselini and Mooselina).

It would be a real statement of change and hope if the country’s course changed via grassroots. It might also be the first “revolutionary” election, which is decided by a different media – blogs like this one and the internet! Looking ahead, such networks of society will have important influence on politics and an exciting forum for participation for all.

Absolutely! I have sent many links to friends and family far and near today with descriptions and quotes. (Thanks for the research and heads up – we are mighty information center in numbers!!!) There is some very powerful stuff in here – THANKS MUDFLATS AGAIN AND AGAIN FOR DOING YOUR PART SO ADMIRABLY! – and if you will help people connect dots, it’s pretty powerful. I just got off the phone with someone who, for the first time, really looked at the data and didn’t try to paint it as left, right, whatever. She heard for the first time the discrepencies from the mouths of McCain, Palin, Rove, Lieberman, etc. And then she got to read some of the stuff off the net (and gosh knows that has to be tame to be out here in cyberspace) and literally she and her husband gasped. THEY GASPED – I think we may have changed a vote tonight, guys. All of us are old enough to know there is always more than what meets the eye. With y’all’s help, it’s becoming more and more transparent. THE CHALLENGE is getting it out to enough people where it can make a difference in time.

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Rick Rossi(14:03:18) :

Thank you for your blog – I am from CT, so were it not for this circus of an election season, I would know nothing about the shenanigans that seem to make up politics in Alaska.

What you do is a testament to the power of the web as the greatest tool of democracy ever invented. The truth gets out by citizen journalists like you!

That’s a touch on the spooky side. Like someone deleted the entire document root of the website…

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Anonymous(16:51:09) :

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Anonymous(16:54:12) :

Oops sorry about empty post, was meant to be images:

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Anonymous(17:17:41) :

OK now I know why. Viewers in some countries (the UK being verifiably one of them) cannot see the National Enquirer website. Phew!

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madbluedog(17:46:08) :

hey rick rossi – i’m from CT too. welcome to mudflats. let me ask you, and other MMFs (sorry, I like to call us Mighty Mudflats – primarily b/c I like Mighty MFs). What do you think is more frustrating…being for Obama in a blue state, or being for Obama in a red state? Or is being in a battleground state the most frustrating of all? I, for one, like that I am in a blue state for day to day living, but SO FRUSTRATED that my vote doesn’t count more.

I watched Hanhity and Colmes on Fox tonight …they were saying how Obamas best move would be to stop attacking Palin…To me, that means they’re scarred, and the more investigating that’s done, the better it will be for Obama…Also the woLf ad – hard for us to use the wolf deal against palin now…they beat us to the punch on that one….but what about the picture of her with her daughter over the dead moose….they showed that pic on CNN – BUT CUT THE MOOSE OUT !!!!! I personally am not for attacking and fighting…, but i am for the truth…..Let obama stick to the issues, that’s what he does best….Thank God for people like you, who care enough to get the straight scoop , and get it out there !!!

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smalltowngirl(19:32:49) :

Question to all here. Why has Trig Palin’s birth certificate not been published? I thought these were public records?

The MSM was certainly all over, and quick to air, those of Rielle Hunter’s child.

Why has there been no mention of this document?

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muldoon(19:44:45) :

I am coming late to this discussion, many appologies if this has already been covered, but in reading the Palin email to Julia Grimes I was quite surprised to find that this university graduate with a degree in Journalism does not write very well. Seeing’s I have no expertise in that area, I’d sure appreciate it if someone way wiser in the mysteries of the English language would read that email and grade it.

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ENOUGHwiththetrainwreck(19:56:05) :

besides the surreal moment when i found myself reading a memo written by a governor of a state i don’t live in and have never stepped foot in……besides that moment of weirdness – i found myself wondering why this detailed email of numerous infractions and criminal activities is assembled and presented in an email from a governor to a department head.

and then it hit me hard. this memo (email?) represents three different legal issues – domestic violence, illegal behavior related to DUI and hunting, and improper conduct in a uniform. and that those three issues should have been handled separately. and they should have been presented in writing using an attorney — the district attorney for some of the issues, a private attorney for others, and possibly staff counsel for the third. but none of the issues in the email/memo should have been handled directly by the governor.

for example, the domestic violence allegations and child abuse allegations seem to be an issue for a district attorney if criminal charges were to be pressed and private attorney during divorce proceedings. i can see an administrative part to the concern that domestic violence was not adequately addressed when the alleged perpetrator was/is a uniformed officer. but again that should be handled completely separate from the other matters to avoid confusion and to be honest — losing sight of its signficance amongst the story of who had to skin the moose and deliver the meat?

the driving while drinking etc. seems to be a firing offense and should be left to the supervisory chain of command and is a pure personnel matter. i have no idea when it would be appropriate for the governor to get involved. i would assume never.

the improper conduct (bragging, etc) seems also to be a disciplinary issue and possibly a firing offense after warnings are not heeded. and again, i am not sure i understand when if ever it would be appropriate for the governor to get involved.

but all the issues in the email/memo should have been vetted (dare i say the word) through legal counsel and/or appropriate district attorney or other officer of the court.

surely the governor’s office does not have the time or resources to resolve each and every domestic violence issue or disciplinary issue that occurs in the state.

now what is surreal about this whole memo/letter is the sentence structure – the apparent detail of some parts (names and phone numbers) but then the mixing of heresay and what is possible evidentiary fact. all mixed together as if they have equal weight. an attorney should have been able to separate these out and address them with the weight that they deserve.

and what is with the “ps” ?

btw it is 10:47 pm on wed and i am commenting on a post that was made about 10:44 this morning (only 12 hours behind reading posts). but wasn’t keith o AWESOME this evening? the opinion piece on the 9/11 trademark hit me right in the heart. thank you msnbc for giving that man the air and the freedom to say what needs to be said.

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Krystal(21:46:54) :

My thought, those 1,100 e-mails are key. If someone pushes and gets them, me thinks Palin will be done for good. Many have interesting subject headings but one sticks in my mind…Racism on the Radio. Now, I’m NOT making any accusations, but that particular heading caught my eye. Why hold it back? If it was a concerned response to what was being said, why not give it to Andrée McLeod? Now race relations, as I;m sure we all know, can be tricky and complicated, but I would be really curious to see those e-mails. On Maddow, her guest says that only e-mails pertaining to policy could be withheld. What possible policy decision could surround those e-mails? It would be most likely amount to nothing, but it definitely caught my eye none the less. Regardless, you know that there is some serious dirt in those e-mails. If someone gets a hold of them, Palin will probably go out like she came in….with a bang! For the sake of the future women in politics, I hope I’m wrong.

Well, what about all the emails with “Mat Maid” in the subject line on the 78 pages of withheld emails? “DairyGate” will follow “troopergate. What are they hiding? Giving money and equipment away to friends and neighbors?